CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40: TAKE IT OFF, I NEED TO CHECK

EDITOR: ENDLESSFANTASY TRANSLATION

Mia Redgrave elegantly held a glass of red wine, looked at Seraphina Redgrave with an appropriately puzzled expression: "Hello, may I ask... who are you?"

Everyone’s eyes changed; for a luxury hotel like Kaelor to be infiltrated by such freeloading impostors, the security should really resign in disgrace.

"Lying is not a good habit," Serena Lowell said provocatively to Seraphina Redgrave.

Lying?

Seraphina Redgrave sneered coldly, ignoring Serena Lowell.

"So is she a friend of anyone here?"

Mia Redgrave’s face was full of confusion, as if she truly didn’t recognize Seraphina Redgrave standing before her.

The girl next to Serena Lowell immediately chimed in: "Mona, you didn’t notice earlier, but this girl sneaked into Kaelor and tried to freeload on the twenty-first floor. Serena Lowell caught her red-handed."

"Ha, and when I noticed something was off she kept stuffing her mouth, really shameless."

Serena Lowell was filled with pride, as if she had already trampled Seraphina Redgrave beneath her feet.

"What’s going on with Kaelor’s security, even allowing such filthy beggars inside?"

"Disgusting, even looking at someone like her makes me feel dirty."

A chorus of nasty comments ensued.

Facing Mia Redgrave, Seraphina stood without changing her expression, curious to see how far Mia could take her subpar acting.

Mia’s lips curled into a victorious smile, waiting before finally speaking, her beautiful eyes full of embarrassment: "I’m truly sorry everyone, for making you endure such a disgraceful incident. I’ll inform the hotel manager to remake all the dishes and replace everything that was served earlier."

"And what about this filthy beggar? Mona, you aren’t planning to let her off, are you?" Serena Lowell looked at Seraphina Redgrave with disdain.

Mia Redgrave smiled gently, looking at Seraphina Redgrave: "This poor lady, I believe you didn’t mean to ruin my birthday celebration. I’ll have the waiter pack some of the food you’ve touched for you. Could you please leave now?"

Really treating her like a beggar?

Seraphina Redgrave maintained her expressionless face, though her dark eyes seemed ready to freeze.

"Mona, you’re too soft-hearted. If you don’t teach this woman a lesson, she’ll repeat her mistake."

"Mia Redgrave is truly gentle."

"Mona, it’s better to hand her over to security."

Opinions bubbled up, with everyone instinctively filled with hostility towards Seraphina Redgrave.

Mia Redgrave stood in the center of the dance floor, basking in the worshipful and loving gaze of everyone around.

On the VIP floor of Kaelor, a reception was taking place.

The room’s decor was incredibly luxurious, even the table was gold-plated, with the men surrounding the young man at the head seat, smiling and raising their glasses.

Under the bright lights, Ethan Sterling held his wine glass casually, his gray suit jacket removed to reveal the black shirt underneath, sleeves rolled up to expose his appealing arm lines, muscles neither too weak nor too robust, and his handsome face resembled a work of divine creation.

An elder, over fifty, stood with a glass in hand: "President Sterling, you are our backbone. Without you, our business wouldn’t survive; we hope President Sterling will continue to look after us, letting us follow you to share in the benefits."

Upon hearing this, Ethan Sterling placed his wine glass on the table, completely stripping the man of dignity.

The man’s face was full of embarrassment, yet he didn’t dare utter a word.

"Toasting me? Surely you’re wishing for a spell that keeps me from rebirth." Ethan’s gaze coldly swept over everyone present, instantly lowering the pressure.

Every man present was drenched in cold sweat under this terrifying tension: "President Sterling, what makes you say that?"

"Street vendors, female assassin, need I provide more clues? Whoever set this up, come forward voluntarily, or else I’ll resort to my methods."

Ethan rested his hand on the glass, tapping the rim lightly with his fingers, causing a ripple of anxiety among the men.

"What assassin?"

"President Sterling, is everything alright?"

"President Sterling, you know me, I’d never dare attempt anything against you."

The men stood, one by one declaring their loyalty.

Ethan Sterling chuckled, the room fell silent instantly, so quiet a pin drop could be heard, every gaze converging on the demonic figure in the main seat.

Ethan stood up, arrogantly sweeping his eyes over everyone: "It seems I’m here, hindering your collusion. I’ll take a walk, and by the time I return, you should either concoct the perfect lie or have the real culprit emerge to confess."

Ethan turned to leave, but paused as he opened the suite door: "You wouldn’t seriously think I called you here without knowing anything, would you?"

Ending his remark, he exited, the metal door clamping shut heavily, akin to a guillotine dropping, the men even audibly perceiving the execution of the blade over their necks.

Everyone wore expressions of utmost terror.

Someone thought of following Ethan out, but Nathan Ayers left in the room stopped them. With a warning glance at everyone inside, he followed Ethan Sterling out.

Kaelor Hotel’s design was unique, every corridor led to the lobby, and the magnificent view of the lobby was visible at a glance.

Having taken a few steps, Ethan stopped abruptly as if he’d noticed something, walking to the railing beside the corridor, tilting his head slightly to glance below.

The Sovereign’s night air was always cold, especially at the top floor, regardless of the insulation, a trace of chill permeated.

Nathan Ayers handed his coat to Ethan, noting his prolonged gaze, couldn’t help but follow Ethan’s line of sight.

There, by the entrance to the twenty-first floor’s lobby, Ethan appeared to be observing something unexpected, two childish posters he’d seen during his investigation into the Redgrave Family, featuring Mia Redgrave.

Upon closer observation, during what seemed like a commotion in the lobby, the two protagonists, one was Mia from the poster, the other...

Nathan Ayers rubbed his eyes incredulously: "Isn’t she supposed to be in Hibiscus Garden?"

Nathan couldn’t refrain from glancing at Ethan, whose eyes lacked any hint of surprise.

What is this situation?

Wasn’t the girl supposed to be mentally ill?

Nathan keenly observed the twenty-first floor lobby, under the stage lights’ glow, Seraphina Redgrave stood composed, hands in pockets, as defiant as his boss, with a hint of subtle mockery in her clear black-and-white eyes, and none of her previous seemingly deranged demeanor.

"Wasn’t she supposed to be mentally ill?"

For the first time in his career, Nathan Ayers experienced such panic and confusion.

Could Seraphina Redgrave actually not be insane? Had she been faking it all along?

On glancing back at Ethan, Nathan found him exceptionally calm, almost amused, suddenly understanding: "You knew she wasn’t mentally ill?"

"Mm," Ethan responded, disinclined to elaborate to Nathan.

Nathan felt embarrassed, having failed to notice the woman’s pretense.

No matter, she’d soon face dire consequences.

Not everyone could deceive, and she’d provoked The Reaper.

The Reaper who controlled her life and fate.

Nathan was readying himself to apprehend her, having decided her corpse might be buried or scattered, yet Ethan’s silence baffled him. Why hadn’t President Sterling acted?

Nathan struggled to comprehend, looking over at Ethan, realizing he was still observing the unfolding situation below, finally sensing something unusual.

"You filthy beggar, sneaking in with an ulterior motive, surely a thief? I’ll see what you’ve stolen!"

A woman shrieked, her voice sharp and unpleasant, harboring blatant malice and conceit.

Lyra gripped Seraphina’s wrist, causing her to frown in pain: "Let go."

Seraphina’s gaze turned grim.

"Your clothes are spacious enough to hide plenty, right? Strip, I want to check!"

Serena Lowell’s fierce expression shifted, directing her focus to those nearby: "Check among yourselves for missing items, this filthy beggar is likely here to steal."

Seraphina watched Serena Lowell, the attack dog dispatched by Mia Redgrave, with a blank expression.

Truly adept at biting and barking, Mia only needed to feign kindness while the dirty work was left to this minion.

"Hurry up, you’re obviously a thief trying to cover up," Serena Lowell seemed to have caught Seraphina Redgrave red-handed, her face filled with righteous indignation.